Dog Bite
If you've suffered injury as a result of a dog bite, you need support in seeking legal compensation for your injuries. The experienced and dedicated legal team at BBB Attorneys is here to help.
Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers for Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield & Litchfield County Clients
Dog Bite Injuries Should Be Taken Seriously. Call Our Team Today.
When a person is bitten by a dog, it is fair to assume that the dog owner is liable for the damage that their pet causes. However, this is not always the case. Whether a person bit by a dog can collect damages depends on why the person was interacting with the dog and how that interaction took place. BBB Attorneys
works with clients who have been bitten by dogs to understand their rights, evaluate the legal aspects of their claim, and to fight for fair compensation. Contact our experienced dog bite injury attorneys today to begin your claim.
According to the National Library of Medicine, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States.
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What Happens Next?
Dog Bite Laws in Connecticut
Some states have enacted what are known as “one bite rules.” These rules essentially give a pass to dog owners for the first instance that their dog is violent. In order for plaintiffs to collect damages in these states, they must demonstrate that the dog owner knew that their dog had violent tendencies. This is the “one bite” that the dog owner can get away with. Connecticut has no such rule. CT General Statute 203-433-0689 governs when dog owners are liable for damages caused by their pets. In short, a dog owner is liable for any personal or property damage caused by their pet. This creates a duty to protect other people from your dog. This duty is the first of the elements required for a negligence claim based on dog bites.
Location Liability
There are two exceptions to the rule of liability, however. The first exception has to do with where the dog bite encounter took place. If the bite happens in public, the dog owner is certainly liable. However, if the bite takes place on the dog owner’s property, a Connecticut dog bite attorney must examine why the bitten party was there. Just like in many other personal injury claims involving injury while on another’s property, trespassers have few protective rights. For example, if someone cuts through a another person’s yard while walking through the neighborhood, they would be considered a trespasser. Therefore, the property only has a duty to not intentionally harm the trespasser. If a dog chases the trespasser and bites his/her leg, they would have a difficult time claiming damages since they had no legal right to be on the property. However, if a mailman enters the yard to deliver a package, he absolutely has a legal right to be on the property and thus can sue for damages.
Provoked Dogs
The second exception is if the bitten person was provoking the dog. This is open to interpretation, but verbal abuse or physically hitting the dog would certainly qualify. If the bitten person is under the age of seven, it is assumed that the dog was not being provoked. One other thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations. Simply put, this is a time limit for a person to file a case in court. Connecticut Statute 203-433-0689 gives plaintiffs two years to file a claim for physical injury.
Insurance and Dog Owner Cooperation
If the dog owner doesn't have insurance or refuses to cooperate in a dog bite injury case, it can complicate the process of seeking compensation. However, there are still potential avenues to pursue. Here are a few possible courses of action:
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How BBB Attorneys Can Help You
If you, or a loved one, has been bitten by a dog while in public or as a guest in someone’s home, BBB Attorneys
are available to help. Dog bites can be quite serious causing cuts, broken bones and infections. Insurance companies can often deflect the issue claiming that you were on the property illegally or that the dog was provoked. Do not be taken advantage of. Our attorneys will work to protect your rights and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Time is of the essence, so contact us today.
Contact us today by calling (203) 562-0900 to discuss your case with an attorney. We offer free consultations and have offices statewide in Startford, West Hartford, North Haven, New Haven, Cheshire, Southington, New Milford, Simsbury, Waterbury, and most of the state of Connecticut.
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Our Victories
$3,875,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
Our client, and her two unborn children, were injured when a car struck them in a parking lot of a grocery store in Hartford County. The injuries caused our client to go into preterm labor.
$100,000
Dog Bite
After a dog attack caused a non-surgical fracture of our client's knee, we secured a settlement prior to the commencement of any lawsuit for our client.
$250,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
Our client was stopped in traffic on the Merritt Parkway on a rainy afternoon. The other driver was not paying attention and slammed directly into our client.
$225,000
Workplace Injury
Our client, a construction worker, was injured when his work van was struck during a snow storm. Our office assisted him in recovering monies for his injuries, as well as the property damage to his truck and tools.
